Qantas has once again delayed its planned non-stop service between Sydney and London. According to The Guardian, the airline now expects these flights to commence in October 2027. This delay is attributed to regulatory approvals and aircraft certification issues, as well as delays in the delivery of new Airbus A350-1000ULR planes designed specifically for ultra-long-haul flights.
Key Takeaways
Qantas has announced another delay for its non-stop Sydney to London flights, now scheduled to begin in October 2027 due to regulatory approvals and aircraft certification issues. This marks the latest setback for Project Sunrise, which was initially planned to launch in 2022 but faced multiple delays, including those caused by COVID-19 pandemic-related disruptions.
- Qantas delays non-stop Sydney-London flights until October 2027
- Delays attributed to regulatory approvals and aircraft certification issues
- Project Sunrise initially planned for a 2022 launch but faced multiple setbacks, including the COVID-19 pandemic
- The Airbus A350-1000ULR will feature an additional fuel tank enabling flights of over 16,000km
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▼Source Claims Check
1 Difference FoundAll 3 publishers report consistent facts across 2 key claims. 1 point of difference noted.
| Claim | Status | Reason | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aircraft Delivery Delay | 1 Difference | Reuters reports April 2027; The Guardian says late 2026 | ▼ |
| Launch Date | Broad Agreement | October 2027 for Sydney-London flights | |
| Ticket Sales | Broad Agreement | February 2027 for Sydney-London tickets |
Aircraft Delivery Delay
▼Reuters reports April 2027; The Guardian says late 2026
Launch Date
Broad AgreementOctober 2027 for Sydney-London flights
Ticket Sales
Broad AgreementFebruary 2027 for Sydney-London tickets
This analysis is AI-generated and may not perfectly represent each source's reporting. Always read the original articles for full context.
The original Project Sunrise was announced by Qantas in 2017. The COVID-19 pandemic pushed back the airline's predicted 2022 launch, and since then, the service has faced repeated delays. In November 2025, Qantas stated that the service would start in the first half of 2027, with Airbus set to deliver the first specially configured A350-1000ULR by late 2026.
However, as reported by The Guardian, Airbus recently revealed that the first aircraft would be delivered in April 2027. Qantas chief executive Vanessa Hudson emphasized the airline's commitment to connecting Australia’s east coast directly to London. The non-stop flights are expected to be four hours shorter than typical one-stop flights, offering a significant time-saving benefit for passengers.
The Airbus A350-1000ULR is designed to fly 16,000km over 22 hours non-stop, utilizing an extra 20,000-litre fuel tank. Qantas is purchasing twelve of these aircraft, each seating 238 passengers. The first Project Sunrise Sydney to London tickets could go on sale in February 2027.
Qantas also plans a non-stop route from Sydney to New York and will reveal the launch date for this service sometime in 2027. Despite these delays, Qantas remains committed to its Project Sunrise initiative, aiming to revolutionize long-haul travel and connect Australia more directly with key international destinations.
How this summary was created
This summary synthesizes reporting from 3 independent publishers using AI. All sources are cited and linked below. NewsBalance is a news aggregator and media literacy tool, not a news publisher. AI-generated content may contain errors or inaccuracies — always verify important information with the original sources.